Product Development Support

Food Contact Materials (FCMs) include any materials that come into contact with food during production, processing, storage, or use. Testing may range from basic migration tests to complex assessments for plastic packaging and advanced materials. CERT supports with testing, labelling compliance, regulatory requirements, and market-specific guidance.

Furniture falls into two main categories: upholstered and non-upholstered, ranging from sofas to seat pads for dining chairs. CERT offers expert support across both, with guidance on strength, durability and safety testing, product risk assessments, chemical analysis (such as MDF), material grading (including leather), labelling, and legislative requirements. We also provide advice on sustainable materials, including CITES compliance.

Garden equipment and tools cover a broad spectrum, from chemical-based products, such as paints with specific labelling requirements, to power tools governed by the Machinery Directive. This diverse category draws on regulations from multiple product sectors. CERT provides expert technical support, regulatory guidance, and labelling verification.

Home fragrance products range from potpourri, candles and room sprays to infusion sticks and drawer liners, offering a wide variety of possibilities. CERT provides expert support with product labelling, guidance on working with third parties, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) confirmation, stability testing, and international regulatory requirements.

CERT provides expert support with all mandatory marking requirements for lamps, LED modules, and luminaires, covering both fixed and portable domestic lighting. Key legislation includes LVD, EMC, General Product Safety, RoHS, REACH/CLP, and WEEE. Beyond labelling, CERT provides tailored technical guidance on product-specific testing, aligned to your target market and application.

Homeware covers decorative items such as candles and lanterns, diffusers, cushions, photo frames, mirrors, and similar products. While primarily aesthetic, some may have limited functional roles. Depending on composition and features, products may fall under CLP and fragrance regulations (e.g. candles, wax melts, diffusers, sprays), electrical and EMC requirements (for decorative lighting), or food-contact legislation (for occasional-use serving items). Assessment of purpose, materials, and intended user, including child appeal, is key to determining applicable regulations and standards.

Heavy metals in jewellery are tightly regulated. Items in direct, prolonged skin contact, such as earrings, watches, and necklaces, must meet limits for nickel (~0.5 μg/cm²/week), lead (~0.05% by weight), and cadmium (~0.01% by weight), with stricter thresholds for piercing posts. Products comprising at least 80% textile fibres such as furniture, umbrellas, and sunshades must be labelled with fibre content. Where multiple fibres exceed 7%, each must be declared by percentage, and permanent labelling may be required. CERT provides expert guidance on compliance, testing, construction, flammability, and labelling to ensure your products meet all applicable requirements.

Outdoor products, from BBQs and burners to kites, fireworks, furniture, tents, and swimming aids, span a diverse, design-led market. Some present higher risks and broad user appeal, making clear warnings essential where hazards cannot be fully mitigated. CERT provides expert support on risk assessment, safety, construction manuals, performance testing, product markings, and compliant labelling to ensure full regulatory compliance.

Pet products include both food and accessories. Most pet food is classed as compound, comprising two or more ingredients, and must meet general and product-specific labelling rules, using “Composition” rather than “Ingredients,” alongside category-specific nutrition and feeding guidance. Pet accessories such as collars, leads, harnesses, and bowls are typically consumer products, but some (e.g. electronic training, illuminated or GPS collars) may also fall under low voltage, EMC, or radio equipment regulations. Food and water bowls should meet food-contact requirements to prevent harmful substance migration. CERT provides expert guidance on compliance, including animal by-products, testing, and labelling.